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| The world response to flu crisis | The world response to flu crisis |
| (about 19 hours later) | |
| It is no longer possible to contain the deadly swine flu virus first found in Mexico, the World Health Organization (WHO) says. As a potential pandemic edges closer, governments around the world have been stepping up precautions against its spread. | It is no longer possible to contain the deadly swine flu virus first found in Mexico, the World Health Organization (WHO) says. As a potential pandemic edges closer, governments around the world have been stepping up precautions against its spread. |
| Africa Americas Asia-Pacific Europe Middle East South Asia | Africa Americas Asia-Pacific Europe Middle East South Asia |
| AFRICA | AFRICA |
| Ghana | |
| The authorities have banned imports of pork and pork products. The country has drugs available and a quarantine system in place should any cases be identified. | |
| Nigeria | Nigeria |
| In Africa's most populous state, health minister Babatunde Osotimehin told the BBC his government was increasing surveillance, providing information about the disease to the public and medical centres, and making sure there were sufficient supplies of anti-viral drugs. Nigeria was badly hit by bird flu three years ago. | |
| South Africa | |
| Outbreak response teams are operational in all provinces. | |
| Zambia | Zambia |
| The authorities have formed an emergency task force to deal with a possible outbreak of swine flu. | The authorities have formed an emergency task force to deal with a possible outbreak of swine flu. |
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| AMERICAS | AMERICAS |
| Argentina | Argentina |
| The health authorities have been ordered to watch for an increase in respiratory illnesses and to promote vaccinations and preventative hygiene habits among health workers and the public. Flight crews have been urged to tell the authorities immediately if they or passengers experience any flu-like symptoms on flights from Mexico. The immigration authorities have been asked to provide information about passengers who arrived from Mexico in the last 15 days. The health ministry has said the stocks of Tamiflu are enough to provide 500,000 treatments, the Argentine press reported. | The health authorities have been ordered to watch for an increase in respiratory illnesses and to promote vaccinations and preventative hygiene habits among health workers and the public. Flight crews have been urged to tell the authorities immediately if they or passengers experience any flu-like symptoms on flights from Mexico. The immigration authorities have been asked to provide information about passengers who arrived from Mexico in the last 15 days. The health ministry has said the stocks of Tamiflu are enough to provide 500,000 treatments, the Argentine press reported. |
| Bolivia | Bolivia |
| The government has declared a "state of health alert". National director of epidemiology Eddy Martinez has said the control mechanisms for swine flu are based on what was done to prevent bird flu. If a case of swine flu were found in Bolivia, health-service workers would be transferred to all airports and border areas, he said. | The government has declared a "state of health alert". National director of epidemiology Eddy Martinez has said the control mechanisms for swine flu are based on what was done to prevent bird flu. If a case of swine flu were found in Bolivia, health-service workers would be transferred to all airports and border areas, he said. |
| Brazil | Brazil |
| Plans are in place to monitor passengers arriving from Mexico and the US. Flight crews have been asked to discuss flu-like symptoms with passengers during flights. Travellers who arrive in the country from Mexico are having their luggage sterilised. People coming from those countries are being advised to avoid close contact with other people for the first 48 hours after their arrival. The company that manages Brazil's international airports has said it can create special parking hubs for aircrafts coming from countries where the disease has been confirmed. | Plans are in place to monitor passengers arriving from Mexico and the US. Flight crews have been asked to discuss flu-like symptoms with passengers during flights. Travellers who arrive in the country from Mexico are having their luggage sterilised. People coming from those countries are being advised to avoid close contact with other people for the first 48 hours after their arrival. The company that manages Brazil's international airports has said it can create special parking hubs for aircrafts coming from countries where the disease has been confirmed. |
| Canada | Canada |
| After cases were confirmed in Canada, all involving only mild illness, the government said it was stepping up surveillance for possible new cases and urged people to take precautions like frequent hand-washing. | |
| TRAVEL TO MEXICO Australia, Chile, India, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore have issued advisories against travel to Mexico.Japan advised its nationals in Mexico to consider returning home soon and has suspended visa waivers for Mexicans.The European Union's health commissioner, Androulla Vassiliou, said her personal advice to travellers would be to avoid areas of Mexico and the US where cases of swine flu have been reported. | |
| Chile | Chile |
| All passengers arriving by plane from Mexico and the United States are being scanned for signs of infection. The authorities have also warned against travel to Mexico and the US, and border officials are on alert to monitor passengers arriving by land who have flu-like symptoms. | All passengers arriving by plane from Mexico and the United States are being scanned for signs of infection. The authorities have also warned against travel to Mexico and the US, and border officials are on alert to monitor passengers arriving by land who have flu-like symptoms. |
| Colombia | Colombia |
| Increased monitoring and preventative controls are in place at hospitals, ports and Bogota's main airport, especially for people arriving from Mexico City, Texas and California. | Increased monitoring and preventative controls are in place at hospitals, ports and Bogota's main airport, especially for people arriving from Mexico City, Texas and California. |
| Cuba | Cuba |
| Flights to and from Mexico are limited and officials are monitoring passengers arriving from Mexico. The island is updating its capabilities for epidemiological clinical surveillance and for providing treatment for the population through the public health system. | |
| Ecuador | Ecuador |
| Health officials are carrying out medical checks on people with flu symptoms arriving via air and sea from affected countries. The country has banned imports of pigs and pork products from the US and Mexico. | |
| El Salvador | El Salvador |
| Health officials in El Salvador are to watch for flu cases at the borders with Guatemala and Honduras. | Health officials in El Salvador are to watch for flu cases at the borders with Guatemala and Honduras. |
| Deaths from the swine flu virus have occurred in North America | |
| Guatemala | Guatemala |
| The country is able to provide 3,000 treatments with Oseltamivir to 1,500 adults and the same number of children. Health ministers from Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama and Dominican Republic will seek to create a "sanitary cordon" in the region. Mexico's southern neighbour has prohibited imports of Mexican animals and agricultural goods. | The country is able to provide 3,000 treatments with Oseltamivir to 1,500 adults and the same number of children. Health ministers from Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama and Dominican Republic will seek to create a "sanitary cordon" in the region. Mexico's southern neighbour has prohibited imports of Mexican animals and agricultural goods. |
| Mexico | Mexico |
| The swine flu outbreak originated in Mexico. All schools, gyms and courts have been closed until 6 May to prevent contagion. The Mexican government has faced criticism for what some see as its slow response to this outbreak. In Mexico City, surgical masks have been given to the public. President Felipe Calderon has assumed new powers to isolate infected people. | |
| Nicaragua | Nicaragua |
| The health ministry has declared a health alert. | The health ministry has declared a health alert. |
| Panama | Panama |
| Airport officials are screening 40 flights a day from Mexico. | Airport officials are screening 40 flights a day from Mexico. |
| Peru | Peru |
| Airport controls have been reinforced in order to detect anyone with flu symptoms entering the country. | Airport controls have been reinforced in order to detect anyone with flu symptoms entering the country. |
| Trinidad and Tobago | Trinidad and Tobago |
| The twin-island Caribbean state is increasing health checks on air travellers arriving from affected countries. The regional political grouping Caricom told the BBC its member countries have different levels of stockpiles and programmes of vaccinations against flu. | The twin-island Caribbean state is increasing health checks on air travellers arriving from affected countries. The regional political grouping Caricom told the BBC its member countries have different levels of stockpiles and programmes of vaccinations against flu. |
| United States | United States |
| The US was the second country to confirm flu cases; health officials have declared a public health emergency. President Barack Obama has said the outbreak is "cause for concern but not cause for alarm". The state department says it is not yet prepared to restrict travel to Mexico but advises nationals against non-essential travel to Mexico. Inspections have been boosted at US borders and airports. Some schools have been closed in New York City, Texas, California, South Carolina and Ohio. | The US was the second country to confirm flu cases; health officials have declared a public health emergency. President Barack Obama has said the outbreak is "cause for concern but not cause for alarm". The state department says it is not yet prepared to restrict travel to Mexico but advises nationals against non-essential travel to Mexico. Inspections have been boosted at US borders and airports. Some schools have been closed in New York City, Texas, California, South Carolina and Ohio. |
| Venezuela | Venezuela |
| Health controls at airports have been stepped up to prevent the contagion from spreading. Venezuelans have been recommended to avoid travel to the US and Mexico. Any potentially ill travellers - particularly from the US and Mexico - are being isolated until the cause of their disease is determined. | Health controls at airports have been stepped up to prevent the contagion from spreading. Venezuelans have been recommended to avoid travel to the US and Mexico. Any potentially ill travellers - particularly from the US and Mexico - are being isolated until the cause of their disease is determined. |
| Stocks of the relevant medicines are also being built up. The ministry of agriculture says they are "closely inspecting" pig farms in the country and have suspended imports of pork and live pigs. | Stocks of the relevant medicines are also being built up. The ministry of agriculture says they are "closely inspecting" pig farms in the country and have suspended imports of pork and live pigs. |
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| ASIA-PACIFIC | ASIA-PACIFIC |
| Australia | Australia |
| Minister have approved new powers to detain and disinfect people suspected of carrying swine flu. All incoming flights to Australia have to declare any suspected flu cases on arrival. Thermal scanners and extra medical staff are also being sent to airports for screening of incoming passengers. With 8.7 million doses of Tamiflu and Relenza drugs stockpiled, Australia has enough anti-viral drugs to cover about 41% of its 21m population. It also has large stores of surgical masks. | |
| Cambodia | |
| The authorities have taken protective measures including setting up thermal scanners at airports to check arriving passengers for possible swine flu cases. Prime Minster Hun Sen has made a personal plea for Cambodians to continue to eat pork as usual. "The infection does not come by eating pork," he said. | |
| China | China |
| The authorities appear to have learned the lessons of previous deadly virus outbreaks such as the H5N1 avian flu and Sars (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), and this time around have been quick to share information with the WHO. The central government has put in place a joint prevention and control system and hospitals have been told to report any suspected cases of swine flu swiftly. The official press is primed to report swiftly on cases of infection. | The authorities appear to have learned the lessons of previous deadly virus outbreaks such as the H5N1 avian flu and Sars (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), and this time around have been quick to share information with the WHO. The central government has put in place a joint prevention and control system and hospitals have been told to report any suspected cases of swine flu swiftly. The official press is primed to report swiftly on cases of infection. |
| Citizens have been advised not to make tourist trips to Mexico and body temperature checks on passengers and crew at ports of entry have been re-introduced. Stockpiles of disease control equipment, anti-viral drugs and clinical equipment have been increased. China has also banned imports of pork and pork products from Mexico and the US states of Texas, Kansas and California. | |
| Hong Kong | Hong Kong |
| Hong Kong authorities have 20m doses of Tamiflu and other anti-flu medication, media reports say. Port health protection measures have been increased, including body temperature screening machines at all checkpoints. | Hong Kong authorities have 20m doses of Tamiflu and other anti-flu medication, media reports say. Port health protection measures have been increased, including body temperature screening machines at all checkpoints. |
| Asia has recent experience of crises involving respiratory illnesses | Asia has recent experience of crises involving respiratory illnesses |
| Indonesia | Indonesia |
| Temperature scanners have been installed at 10 airports and ports with immediate effect. At least 3m Tamiflu capsules are in stock. | Temperature scanners have been installed at 10 airports and ports with immediate effect. At least 3m Tamiflu capsules are in stock. |
| Japan | Japan |
| The central government has Tamiflu and Relenza combined stockpiles which would cover nearly 20% of the population. Local governments have their own stockpiles but figures are not available. Passengers from Mexico, Canada and the US are being checked at international airports. | The central government has Tamiflu and Relenza combined stockpiles which would cover nearly 20% of the population. Local governments have their own stockpiles but figures are not available. Passengers from Mexico, Canada and the US are being checked at international airports. |
| Kyrgyzstan | Kyrgyzstan |
| The import of meat products from the US and Mexico has been temporarily banned. | The import of meat products from the US and Mexico has been temporarily banned. |
| Malaysia | Malaysia |
| Tamiflu stockpile covering more than 2m people out of a population of 27m. It does not have a stockpile of personal protection equipment such as masks for the general population yet, but has a supply for health staff who will be dealing with any outbreak. | |
| New Zealand | New Zealand |
| With a number of confirmed cases already, public health officials say they have "ample stocks" of anti-flu drugs. The country built up a stockpile after the bird flu scare sufficient to cover between 25 and 30% of the 4.3m population. | With a number of confirmed cases already, public health officials say they have "ample stocks" of anti-flu drugs. The country built up a stockpile after the bird flu scare sufficient to cover between 25 and 30% of the 4.3m population. |
| Philippines | |
| Airports are equipped with thermal scanners, and additional medical staff have been hired. The government says it has enough Tamiflu for 60,000 possible cases and is buying 10m pesos ($206,000) worth of additional Tamiflu. This covers a fraction of the Philippine population of 90 million. Government says there are sufficient masks in stock. | |
| Singapore | Singapore |
| Thermal scanners are set up at airports and isolation units at hospitals, where staff at some emergency departments are wearing full protective clothing. Asean has 500,000 courses of anti-virals stockpiled in Singapore (and a similar amount distributed among member states). | |
| South Korea | South Korea |
| The agriculture ministry has suspended imports of live pigs from North America. Health authorities have a Tamiflu stockpile for 2.5 million people and are working to increase that to 10% of the population of about 49 million. | |
| Taiwan | Taiwan |
| Taiwan currently has supplies of swine flu treatment to cover 10% of its 23m population. More than 1m facemasks for emergency use are available. | Taiwan currently has supplies of swine flu treatment to cover 10% of its 23m population. More than 1m facemasks for emergency use are available. |
| Thailand | Thailand |
| The government has 320,000 courses of Tamiflu stockpiled. GPO, a state-owned drug-maker, can produce 1m capsules of generic Tamiflu if needed. Temperature screening checkpoints are in place at international airports in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket. The main targets for the thermal scanners were passengers on eight routes - from France, Tokyo, Dubai, Frankfurt, London, Chicago, Los Angeles and Texas - which had connecting flights from Mexico. Suspected cases of new arrivals will be put under close surveillance for three to five days during their stay in Thailand. | The government has 320,000 courses of Tamiflu stockpiled. GPO, a state-owned drug-maker, can produce 1m capsules of generic Tamiflu if needed. Temperature screening checkpoints are in place at international airports in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket. The main targets for the thermal scanners were passengers on eight routes - from France, Tokyo, Dubai, Frankfurt, London, Chicago, Los Angeles and Texas - which had connecting flights from Mexico. Suspected cases of new arrivals will be put under close surveillance for three to five days during their stay in Thailand. |
| Vietnam | Vietnam |
| Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's largest city of more than 8m people, has stocks of Tamiflu sufficient for a million people. | Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's largest city of more than 8m people, has stocks of Tamiflu sufficient for a million people. |
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| EUROPE | EUROPE |
| Austria | Austria |
| The authorities have stocks of anti-viral drugs sufficient to treat 4m people (half the population), and have secured production capacity for prophylactic vaccines for the entire population. They have also stockpiled 8m protective masks. | |
| Belgium | Belgium |
| The country has 500,000 anti-viral treatments and the capacity to make 2m more. In addition, it has 32m masks for patients and 6m for healthcare professionals. | |
| Bulgaria | Bulgaria |
| Customs officers are checking the luggage of passengers arriving from Mexico, the US, Canada and Japan to ensure they are not importing pork products. Two thermal scanners have been installed at Sofia airport. | |
| Czech Republic | Czech Republic |
| The country has stocks of 2m doses of Tamiflu, enough to treat 20% of the population. General information on the viral strain has been circulated to hospitals, doctors and GPs. At Prague Airport, information boards on swine flu have been put up and medical examinations are available. | The country has stocks of 2m doses of Tamiflu, enough to treat 20% of the population. General information on the viral strain has been circulated to hospitals, doctors and GPs. At Prague Airport, information boards on swine flu have been put up and medical examinations are available. |
| Denmark | Denmark |
| A general pandemic plan has been in place since the bird flu scare. Denmark has stockpiled Tamiflu. | A general pandemic plan has been in place since the bird flu scare. Denmark has stockpiled Tamiflu. |
| People in Europe, unlike this man, are not wearing masks generally | People in Europe, unlike this man, are not wearing masks generally |
| France | France |
| French nationals have been advised not to travel to Mexico. Checks at airports have been reinforced, especially for people returning from Mexico. France has a stock of more than 30m anti-viral treatments, composed of 24m doses of Tamiflu and 9m doses of Relenza. | |
| Germany | Germany |
| Nationals have been advised against non-vital travel to Mexico. | Nationals have been advised against non-vital travel to Mexico. |
| Greece | Greece |
| Passengers coming from countries where swine flu has occurred are being tracked and doctors at the airport will carry out checks. The country has "strategic stocks" of Tamiflu and other anti-viral medication. | |
| Italy | Italy |
| Pamphlets are being handed out to passengers at Rome's international airport, although there are no restrictions on travel. Italy has 10m doses of Zanamivir (Relenza) and 60,000 doses of Tamiflu, as well as enough Tamiflu powder to make 30m doses. | Pamphlets are being handed out to passengers at Rome's international airport, although there are no restrictions on travel. Italy has 10m doses of Zanamivir (Relenza) and 60,000 doses of Tamiflu, as well as enough Tamiflu powder to make 30m doses. |
| Norway | Norway |
| A "pandemic committee" will be assembled this week. Authorities have stored flu medicine covering one-third of the 4.7m population. | A "pandemic committee" will be assembled this week. Authorities have stored flu medicine covering one-third of the 4.7m population. |
| Russia | Russia |
| The health ministry recommends Russian citizens avoid trips to Mexico. Aircraft personnel arriving from the Americas have been instructed to look out for passengers with flu-like symptoms. Planes on which cases are suspected should be taxied to special zones, and passengers and crews examined by medics. Curbs have been imposed on meat imports from Mexico, a number of US states and the Caribbean. | The health ministry recommends Russian citizens avoid trips to Mexico. Aircraft personnel arriving from the Americas have been instructed to look out for passengers with flu-like symptoms. Planes on which cases are suspected should be taxied to special zones, and passengers and crews examined by medics. Curbs have been imposed on meat imports from Mexico, a number of US states and the Caribbean. |
| Slovakia | |
| With population of 5.4 million, it has around 700,000 doses of Tamiflu in official reserves. | |
| Spain | Spain |
| The first European country to confirm a case of the virus, in a man who had recently returned from Mexico, Spain is distributing leaflets to other passengers arriving from there, advising them to report to a health centre if they suffer symptoms. Spain has a stockpile of 10m doses of Tamiflu. Flights to Mexico are being supplied with masks and gloves. | |
| UK | UK |
| An outbreak in Scotland, a honey-mooning couple returning from Mexico, was the UK's first confirmed case of swine flu. The British government stresses it has enough anti-viral drugs to treat more than half the population if necessary. Nationals have been advised against non-vital travel to Mexico. | |
| Leaflets giving advice about the new H1N1 swine flu virus are to be sent to every home in Britain. The leaflets will contain information about the flu outbreak and advice on preventing its spread. But health authorities are not advising the general public to wear masks. | |
| Ukraine | Ukraine |
| Imports of live pigs and pork meat from countries where cases of swine flu have been recorded, including Mexico, the US, Canada and New Zealand, have been banned. All shipments received after 21 April will be subject to the ban. | Imports of live pigs and pork meat from countries where cases of swine flu have been recorded, including Mexico, the US, Canada and New Zealand, have been banned. All shipments received after 21 April will be subject to the ban. |
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| MIDDLE EAST | MIDDLE EAST |
| Egypt | Egypt |
| The authorities have increased numbers of medical staff at Cairo airport to check passengers arriving from Mexico and will monitor them during their stay. | The authorities have increased numbers of medical staff at Cairo airport to check passengers arriving from Mexico and will monitor them during their stay. |
| Israel | Israel |
| The country has one confirmed case of infection. Health officials are meeting to decide on "specific policies and measures to counteract the new epidemic". | The country has one confirmed case of infection. Health officials are meeting to decide on "specific policies and measures to counteract the new epidemic". |
| Lebanon | |
| Among the measures reported to prevent contagion, Health Minister Mohammad Khalifeh has issued advice for schools and employers and suggested that people should "stay away from social kissing". | |
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| SOUTH ASIA | SOUTH ASIA |
| Bangladesh | Bangladesh |
| Travellers, particularly those coming from countries already hit by swine flu, are to be screened by teams comprising medical officers, epidemiologists and representatives from the WHO and the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Diseases Research in Bangladesh. | Travellers, particularly those coming from countries already hit by swine flu, are to be screened by teams comprising medical officers, epidemiologists and representatives from the WHO and the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Diseases Research in Bangladesh. |
| India | India |
| Preventative measures such as surveillance at ports and international airports have been taken, and people have been advised to defer non-essential travel to the affected areas. | Preventative measures such as surveillance at ports and international airports have been taken, and people have been advised to defer non-essential travel to the affected areas. |
| The states within India have been advised to review their preparedness to investigate and contain any suspected cluster of swine flu cases, with central government providing expert, logistics and laboratory support. A toll-free call centre number has been set up for the public to report incidents of illness. | The states within India have been advised to review their preparedness to investigate and contain any suspected cluster of swine flu cases, with central government providing expert, logistics and laboratory support. A toll-free call centre number has been set up for the public to report incidents of illness. |
| An Indian newspaper reports that the drug company Cipla has received orders from Latin America, Mexico and Israel for the anti-viral Tamiflu. India has stockpiles of 1m Tamiflu doses and has requested another million doses which it expects to receive within about a week. | |
| Nepal | Nepal |
| Visitors from the US and Mexico will be screened, local media report. A team of health professionals will be stationed at Tribhuvan International Airport with a health-related questionnaire and take immediate action if anyone is suspected to have contracted the flu. | Visitors from the US and Mexico will be screened, local media report. A team of health professionals will be stationed at Tribhuvan International Airport with a health-related questionnaire and take immediate action if anyone is suspected to have contracted the flu. |
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| Sources: Reuters and other news agencies, BBC World Service | Sources: Reuters and other news agencies, BBC World Service |